Box opening and dumping apparatus



Aug. 9, 19.60

' B. G. COPPING BOX OPENING ANDI-DUMPING APPARATUS W: 1x I I F|G.2 Y

, INVENTOR.

BRUCE G. COPPING ATTYS.

Aug. 9, 1960 B. G. COPPING BOX OPENING AND DUMPINGAPPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1956 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BRUCE G. COPPING awfik m ATTYS.

Aug. 9, 1960' BGCOPPING 2,948,425

BOX OPENING .AND DUMP'ING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTYS.

(BRUCE G.COPPING apparatus is flap of the box;

, an automatic roller and hook Bruce G. Copping, Akron, Qhio, assignor to Atkron, Inc., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 11, 1956, Ser. No. 615,287 8 Claims. 01; 214-4111) This invention relates to apparatus for mechanically opening cardboard boxes and dumping out the contents thereof, and especially to apparatus for automatically and effectively opening cardboard boxes, cases or the like, so that they can be reused, moving the opened boxes through the apparatus and dumping or discharging the contents thereof at a predetermined discharge zone in the apparatus.

Various types of manufacturing establishments use metallic cans and/ or similar cylindrical cardboard articles or equivalents, in large quantities for filling such cans with various foods, liquids, oils or other materials. Obviously, such canneries process large quantities of cans or other containers in a shift, or other unit of operation. In many instances, these cans or other containers are shipped to the canner-ies in cardboard cartons, each of which has a pair of side flaps, and a pair of end flaps thereon, and with the end flaps being tucked within the box and held in place with the box closed by the side flaps.

Heretofore, in many instances, these container cases or boxes have been manually opened and have been dumped into suitable receptacles, or hoppers, or have been manually positioned for further filling and processing operations. Some efforts have been made heretobefore to provide mechanical box opening apparatus, but such apparatus has either been too bulky, it has been quite costly, or it may be difiicult to maintain, or it has been otherwise objectionable, insofar as I am aware.

A general object of the present invention is to provide box or case opening and discharging apparatus of the class described, which apparatus is to open a closed cardboard box or case automatically and discharge the contents thereof without any contents, as they are being processed in the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class described wherein a'pair of parallel spaced drums and endless belts are provided for engaging the side flaps of a box for moving the box through .a predetermined arc or path for discharge action of the case contents and for discharge of the empty case to suitable receiving means.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for automatically opening cardboard boxes and which adjustable for taking different depth boxes therein and which adjustment can be easily and readily effected with a minimum of adjustments and delay in use of the machine. V

Other objects of the invention are to dump the contents of a cardboard box or the like onto a discharge member at a predetermined discharge zone in the apparatus; to provide a member for knocking or shaking a box for freeing articles therefrom for discharge and'to open an end flap of a cardboard box without damage to the box and to take such action automatically as a case or box is being moved through the apparatus of the invention; to provide to open the side flaps and at least one end ice the apparatus for opening the trailing end flap in a cardboard box after the side flaps thereof have been opened;

to provide a carrier chute for receiving a partially opened filled case orbox and for inverting such box While maintaining the flaps in the opened condition, but without discharge of the contents of the box; and to provide automatic adjustmentmeans in an endless chain belt used for driving a plurality of correlated driven, but relatively movable means provided in the box opening and dumping apparatus. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds. I

In order to understand the principles of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. l is a perspective view of a box opening and dumping apparatus'embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cardboard case or box of the type adapted for opening action by the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the major portion of the input conveyor being damage to either the case or the I combination member in opening means forwardly therefrom, on the frame in parallel spaced relation and having porfor'engaging the side flaps omitted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the drive means of the apparatus of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the drive means of the apparatus of the invention;-

Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryvertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and showing only the knocker or vibrator means of the invention and with other elements being removed for clarity;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the container or box opening and end flap opening means of the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of the input conveyor adjustment mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3 to show .the empty box lifting mechanism of the invention;

. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken on line 1010 The present invention, generally speaking, relates to apparatus for automatically and safely opening closed and filled cardboard boxes and discharging the contents thereof and wherein the apparatus comprises a frame, box including a plow for engaging a box and prying open the side closing fiaps of the box and hook means for engaging and opening the trailing end flaps of the box, conveyor means for feeding boxes into the apparatus, chute means for receiving the partly opened boxes and moving them through a vertical arc of approximately a pair of drum means journalled on the apparatus frame inspaced parallel relation at the discharge end of the chute means and rotating to move upwardly and a pair of endless belts journalled tions of their lengths confined against parts of the drum of a box discharged from the chute means and holding the box against the peripheries of thedrum for lifting such box and moving it'forwardly and upwardly of the apparatus with rotation of the drums, and means also are provided in the apparatus for vibrating a box as it is being discharged from the chute means to insure opening of the remaining end flap thereof and discharge of the contents of the box at a predetermined dis charge zone in the apparatus.

Reference now should be had to the details of the structure shown in the drawings in order to understand the present invention completely and the numeral 1 is used to indicate in general the box opening and dumping apparatus of the invention. Such apparatus 1 includes a conventional frame 2. A suitable input conveyor 3 is journalled on and carried by a conveyor frame 4, one end of which is suitably supported on the frame 2 of the apparatus in an adjustable manner, as hereinafter described in more detail. feeding a plurality of closed boxes 5 to the, apparatus. Normally such boxes 5 are made from cardboard and have pairs of side flaps 6 thereon extending the length of the box 5 and with end flaps 7 and 8 being provided in the box 5. Conventional articles or containers are provided in such boxes 5. Thus, Fig. 2 of the drawings shows that metal cans 9 may be received in the boxes 5 and with the apparatus of the invention being adapted to open the boxes 5, discharge the cans 3 therefrom without injury to either the box or the cans, so that the cans can be filled with the desired materials and with the boxes '5 being reusable to pack the filled cans 9 therein, or for other purposes, as desired.

Fig. 1 shows that the input conveyor 3 may extend from the remainder of the frame 2 an appreciable distance and any desired supports, indicated at 10, can be provided therefor, as required.

The conveyor frame 4 normally has a conveyor frame plate 11 extending between spaced portions thereof to provide a box support at the upper part of the frame in superimposed relation to the remainder of the apparatus 1 and which conveyor plate or member 11 includes a downwardly curved guide or support plate 12. This guide plate 12 extends downwardly of a chute means 13 provided in the apparatus 1, all as hereinafter explained in more detail. Such conveyor support plate 11 can be omitted if the conveyor 3 is brought farther into the apparatus as the support plate 11 is provided to position the boxes 5 as they are moved either by the conveyor 3 or by other boxes 5 abutting against the ends thereof into engagement with a stationarily positioned plow 14, Fig. 3, carried on the upper portion of the frame 2 and onto the chute means 13. Rollers 11111 are adjustably and resiliently positioned on the frame 2 so that they engage opposite sides of a box 5 as it is moved into engagement with the plow 14. The rollers 101} thus raise the flaps 6' and aid in enabling the plow 14- to slide thereunder. The plow 14 is adapted to engage under the pairs of side flaps 6, 6 in the box 5 and smoothly open such side flaps 6, 6 and move them upwardly and outwardly of the box 5. The flaps thus will protrude laterally from the remainder of the boxes and the boxes move into engagement with the upper end of the chute 13 in such condition for retention of the box in side and one end flap opened condition, as explained herein.

As an important feature of the invention, means are provided in the apparatus for opening up the trailing end flap 8 of the boxes 5 after they have moved past the plow 14. Such means includes a support arm 15 secured to a shaft 15:: journalled in a bracket 16, or other memher on the frame 2 and with such arm 15 journalling a roller 17 at the lower end thereof. This roller 17 is adaptedto engage the upper surface of a box 5, the leading end flap 7 thereof, or to drop down onto and usually into the contents (cans 9) of such box, all depending upon which member is uppermost in the box at such time and place as engaged by the roller 17. The arm 15 is so positioned by the roller 17 engaging the cans 9, or dropping down into the cans, that a hook 18, which is adjustably carried by and protrudes from the lower end of the arm 15, is adapted to engage under the trailing end flap 8 of a box 5 and move such end flap upwardly and out- 4 1 wardly of the box 5 as the box is moved past the arm and hook 18 carried thereby. Such end flap 8 is retained in open position and forced 'backwardly by the chute 13 as the box enters directly into association therewith as it moves by such hook 18 and automatically is released by the hook. The hook 18 has a foot 18a thereon that is positioned slightly below the roller 17. Hence, as the roller 17 moves off of the leading end flap 7 of a box, the hook 18 drops down below the trailing end flap 8 and is positioned to engage it. Further movement of the box 5 engages the hook 18 and end flap 7 and ultimately swings the arm 15 and hook 18 unit upwardly Such conveyor 3 is provided fori with opening movement of the end flap. A slot 15b is provided in the arm 15 and the hook is secured in desired position therealong by a member 101 which may be called a cylindrical lock bolt. The hook 18 can be moved along its axis in the member 101 and be secured in position by a conventional member (not shown) such as a set screw. Thus the distance between the contact area of the roller 17 and the foot 18a of the hook can be set accurately for different boxes and insure that the roller will move down into the box 5 at a proper time and will move down sufiiciently that the hook 18 will engage the trailing end flap. The roller 17 usually engages the end flap 7 through a space normally provided between the edges of the closed side flaps 6 and may move from the end flap down into the cans 9, or onto closed ends thereof and still effect the desired end flap engaging action. The member 101 can position the hook 18 in desired angular relation to the arm 15.

Fig. 10 of the drawings best shows that the chute 13 extends through substantially a arc in the apparatus and with the chute 13, which is of substantially U-shape in section, adjustably positioning a pair of guide rods or bars 19 therein in spaced, but adjustable, relationship to the side portions of such conveyor chute. These guide bars 19 are positioned by rods 20 which engage the sides of the chute 13 to position the guide bars 19 for engaging side portions of boxes 5 being processed in the apparatus of the invention. With changes in size of the boxes being processed, the guide bars 19 can be moved dilferent distances laterally inwardly of the conveyor chute to be retained in such position, as for instance by the use of lock nuts 21 engaging such positioning rods 20'. The guide bars 19 also aid in retaining the side flaps 6 in open positions.

Fig. 3 of the drawings best shows that the chute 13 permits the opened boxes 5 to be moved through an approximately 180 arc and be inverted with the open surface of the box then being downwardly directed and being supported upon the chute 13 to retain the contents within the boxes 5. At a point immediately adjacent the discharge end of this chute 13, a pair of relatively narrow cylindrical drums 22 are journalled on the frame 2 in parallel but spaced relationship adjacent opposed lateral margins of the chute 13. These drums 22 are carried on a common shaft 23 suitably journalled on the frame 2 and with drive means, as hereinafter described, being provided to rotate the drums 22 as a unit.

As an important feature of the invention, to facilitate discharge of the contents 9 of the boxes 5, a pair of endless belts 24 are positioned on the frame 2 of the apparatus 1 with an extensive portion of the lengths of the path of movement of the belts 24 being such that the belts are forced into contact with the peripheral surfaces of the drums 22 over substantially 180 of the length thereof. These belts 24 are journalled on and positioned by a plurality of rollers 25 carried by the frame 2 to bear against the drums 22, as stated. As a plurality of the boxes 5 are fed into the apparatus 1 of the invention, the boxes accumulate upon the chute 13 and force the abutted boxes to move from the discharge end of the chute 13. At such time, the side flaps 6 of a discharged box are adapted to be compressed against the peripheral surfaces of the rotating drums 22 by the belts 24 which engage the 29 is shown for receiving peripheries of the drums in slightly spaced relationship to the end of the discharge chute 13, all as best shown in Fig. 3 so that the flaps 6 are fed between the drums and the belts. These belts 24 are made from any suitable material, such as rubberized fabric, and are driven by their contact with the driven drums 22 over large peripheral areas thereof.

The drawings indicate that the boxes 5 are moved forwardly and upwardly by the rotary movement of the drums 22 as lifted or moved from the discharge end ofthe chute 13. At such times, the invented boxes would naturally tend to discharge the cans 9 therefrom by gravity action. To insure discharge of cans or other articles from the boxes 5 at such times, it is desirable to agitate or shake such boxes 5 slightly inasmuch as the leading end flap of the box has not been opened by the apparatus of the invention. Figs. 3 and 10 of the drawings show that a positioning shaft 26 extends a short distance axially of the apparatus 1 and is journalled in a conventional manner on the frame 2. Such positioning shaft 26 has a p'air of vibrator or knocker arms 27, 27 secured thereto, which arms extend laterally from the shaft 26 in opposite directions and terminate in downwardly and forwardly extendingv arcuate sections 28 that are positioned immediately adjacent the side portions of a box 5 received in and passing through the apparatus of the invention. Such-vibrator arms 27 and arcuate sections 28 thereof normally are provided at the discharge end of the chute 13 and immediately adjacent the portions of the drums 22 which are initially engaged by the belts 24 as they start to move as a unit with the drums. Thus a box 5 being processed in the apparatus 1 will be vibrated or shaken while it is in inverted position and just as the drums start to move the box for; wardly and upwardly of the apparatus and remove it from engagement with ings clearly shows'that some siutable type of a receptacle or other member is provided for receiving cans 9 discharged from the box 5 and in this instance, a conveyor these articles and moving them of the apparatus-for furaway from the discharge zone as desired.

ther processing or other action,

The drums 22, it will be seen, position the boxes 5 to be suspended therebetween, as best indicated in Fig. 9, and they move the boxes 5 through a substantially 180 arc into upright positions, at which time the endless belts 24 release the side flaps of a box 5. A'suitable discharge conveyor or chute 30, as indicated in Fig. 3, is provided for receiving the boxes 5 as dropped or deposited by the belts and automatically moving them to a desired area for'cturther processing or storage, as desired.

Fig. 5 of the drawings diagramatically shows the drive means for the apparatus 1 of the invention and it includes a conventional electric motor 31, driving a speed reducer 131, having an output sprocket 32 pro-7.

vided thereon, which engages with an endless chain 33.

This chain 33 passes over and around suitableguides and engages and drives a sprocket 34 provided on the shaft 23 on which the drums22 are positioned. The chain 33 also connects to a drive a. shaft forming part of the drive and positioning means for the input conveyor belt 3 of the invention. An automatic chain take-upmeans is provided in the apparatus, for a purpose to behereinafter described, and it comprises a pair of sprockets 36 and 37 journaledon oppo- 3 site ends of a pivotally positioned bell crank 38 in such a manner as to have the chain 33 engage. therewith to move a flight or section of-the path for the chain-33 out of a direct line relationship between the conveyor drive sprocket-BSand-the drive sprocket-32.- This-bell crank -38.is

journalled on the frame 2 and has a spring39 connecting thereto andanchored on another part of the-frame 2 to urge the bell crank 38 to tighten the drive chain-33 at all times. A chain section-139 connects the spring 39 sprocket 35 secured to the chute 13. Fig. 3 of thedra'w- .to align them in end aligned and to a sprocket 39a on the positioning shaft for the bell crank 38 to maintain tension on the chain 33.

Adjustment in the eflective length and action of the drive chain 33 is necessary because the input conveyor '3 is verticallyadjustably positioned with relation to the frame 2 of the apparatus. Such conveyor positioning means comprise a bell crank 40 journalled on a shaft 41 secured to the frame '2 and which carries a roller 42 or similar member at'the upper end thereof. This roller 42 is adapted to have rolling or other support engagement with a lower portion of the conveyor frame 4, as best shown in Fig. 8. The relative position of such a bell crank 40 with relation to the frame 2 is controlled, as by means of a threaded control rod 43, journalled on the frame 2 by abracket 44 and engaging a tapped bore provided in a connector block 45 carried by the lower endof the bell crank- 40. A suitable control handle and wheel 46 is provided at andv secured to oneend of the control rod 43 so that rotation thereof will effect arcuate movement of the bell crank 40 and the desired vertical adjustment in the position of the conveyor frame 4 and means positioned thereby.

It should be noted that only one drive motor 31 is required in the apparatus and-that a crank plate 47, shown only in Fig. 6, is carried by a shaft 47a journalled on the frame 2. The shaft 47a is driven by the motor 31, for example, by a speed reducing pulley andb elt connection 147. A controlwarm 48 is suitably secured to the shaft 26 on which the vibrator arms 27 are secured and a connector link 49 extends between this crank plate 47 and the control arm 48 so that the shaft 26 is oscillated with rotation'of the output shaft of the drive motor 31 to cause a rapid vibrating or shaking action on the vibrator arms 27. This provides a knocking action on the sides of the box as .it passes through the apparatus 1 of the invention in the discharge zone with the tops of the boxes 5 as to give the desired flap If necessary, some spring associated with this coninto engagement with opening action as disclosed. orequivalent member could be trol arm 15 to urge it downwardly the boxes.

It will be realized that the guide plate 12 forms, in effect,part' of the chute means -13 to support the boxes 5 as initially moved into the chute.

A drive belt31a and variable speed pulleys or sheaves (not shown) may connect the motor 31 to the speed reducer 131'.

The rollers engage the boxes -5 adjacent the-upper margins thereof to provide the lifting action on the closed side flaps '6. a

'It should be realized that, if necessary, the-endless belt. means 24 may be driven, and may not engage so much of the periphery of the drum means as in the particular embodiment of a the invention shown herein. Thus, the belt and drum means could merely lift the boxes a short'distance'for discharge action thereof and then deposit the boxes 5 on any suitable mechanism for further processing thereof in any desired manner.

The chute'13 has a discharge lip 13a at the discharge end thereof to guide cans 9 onto the driven conveyor 29, or other means provided to receive the cans 9.

Usually the apparatus of the invention is usedin di rect association with a can sorting apparatus, suoh as is disclosed in "and covered by my co-pending patent application, Serial No. 613,109, filed October 1, 1956, now'Patent No. 2,916,133, dated Dec. 8 11959, in the United States of America and disclosing apparatus for processing the cans dumped from the boxes 5 so as iabutted relationship for further processing or filling actions, as is desired.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a novel and improved type of a box opening and dumping or Z discharging apparatus has been provided and that the obiects of the invention have been secured.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for automatically opening closed and filled cardboard boxes having a pair of side closing flaps and a pair of inner end closing flaps, which apparatus comprises 'a frame, box opening means including a plow for engaging a box and prying open the side closing flaps on the box as it is moved by the plow and hook means for engaging and opening the trailing end flap of the box, a conveyor having a discharge end adjustably carried by said frame for vertical movement with relation to said box opening means, chute means on said frame for receiving thepartly opened boxes and moving them in an arc of approximately 180 with the opened flaps held in such position, said chute means retaining the contents in the partly opened boxes, 2. pair of driven drum means journalled on said frame in parallel spaced relation at the discharge end of said chute means and extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom; a pair of endless belts journalled on said frame in parallel spaced relation and having portions of their lengths confined against parts of said drums for engaging side flaps of a box as discharged from said chute means to secure such box to said drums to lift such box and move it forwardly and upwardly in the apparatus, means journalled on said frame for vibrating a box as it is being discharged from said chute means, and means for engaging a box as released by said endless belt means and drum means to discharge it from the apparatus.

2. Apparatus for automatically opening closed and filled cardboard boxes having a pair of side closing flaps and a pair of inner end closing flaps, which apparatus comprises a frame, box opening means including a plow for engaging a box and prying open the side closing flaps on the box as it is moved by the plow and hook means for engaging and opening the trailing end flap of the box, a conveyor having a discharge end adjustab-ly carried by said frame for vertical movement with relation to said box opening means, chute means on said frame for receiving the partly opened boxes and moving them in an arc of approximately 180 with the opened flaps held in such position, said chute means retaining the contents in the partly opened boxes, a pair of driven drum means journalled on said frame in parallel spaced relation at the discharge end of said chute means and extending forwardly land upwardly therefrom, and a pair of endless belts journalled on said frame in parallel spaced relation and having portions of their lengths confined against parts of said drums for engaging side flaps of a box as discharged from said chute means to secure such box to said drums to lift such box and move it forwardly and upwardly in the apparatus.

3. Apparatus for automatically opening closed and filled cardboard boxes having a pair of side closing flaps and a pair of inner end closing flaps, which apparatus comprises a frame, box opening means including a plow for engaging a box and prying open the side clos ng flaps on the box as it is moved by said plow and hook means for engaging and opening the trailing end flap of the box, chute means on said frame for receiving the partly opened boxes and inverting them by moving them in an arc of approximately 180 with the opened flaps held in such position, said chute means retaining the contents in the partly opened boxes, a pair of drum means journalled on said frame in parallel spaced relation at the discharge end of said chute means and extending upwardly therefrom, and a pair of endless belts iournalled on said frame ,in parallel spaced relation and having portions of their lengths confined against parts of said drums for engaging side flaps of a box as dicharged from said chute means to hold said side flaps against said drums to lift such box and move it forwardly and upwardly in the apparatus for discharge of the contents of the box.

'4. I n apparatus for automatically emptying opened cardboard boxes or the like, chute means having a discharge end receiving opened cardboard boxes with side flaps extending therefrom to move such boxes through about a 180 are from an upright to an inverted dis charge position, which chute includes a bottom support means of about length and a top support means of about length, a pair of spaced, parallel drum means positioned to contact the upper surfaces of the side flaps of a box at a discharge end of said chute means, guide to as operatively associated with said chute means to rethe side flaps of a box in extended positions as moving therealong, and a pair of endless belt means journalled to engage said drum means over portions of the periphery thereof and to secure the side fiaps of a box thereto [or movement of the inverted box with said drum means as secured thereto and extending therebetween by said belt means whereby the box can be grasped by its side flanges and moved from the discharge end of said chute means to be dumped and then moved to an upright position for discharge from and release by said drum means and belt means.

5. In apparatus for automatically emptying opened cardboard boxes or the like, chute means receiving opened cardboard boxes with side flaps extending therefrom to move such boxes through about a 180 arc, which chute includes a bottom member of about 90 length and a top member of about 180 length, said top member at a lower end thereof forming a support and discharge end for said chute means, opened boxes being received between said top and bottom members, a pair oflspaced, parallel drum means for engaging the side flaps of a box at the discharge end of said chute means, a pair of endless belt means journalled to engage said drum means over portions of the periphery thereof and to secure the side flaps of a box thereto for movement of the inverted box with said drum means as secured thereto and extending therebeteen by said belt means whereby the box can be dumped and next moved to an upright position for discharge from and release by said drum means and belt means, and means positioned adjacent said drum means to receive boxes therefrom as released by belt means.

6. In apparatus for automatically emptying opened cardboard boxes or the like, a frame, a pair or spaced, parallel drum means journalled on said frame for engaging the side fl'aps of a box by the peripheral surfaces of the drum means of boxes when opened and processed in the apparatus, means on said frame for feeding inverted but filled boxes with opened side flaps to said drum means for contact therewith, a pair of endless. belt means journalled on said frame to contact said drummeans over portions of the periphery thereof and to engage the side fl-aps of a box and secure such flaps against the peripheral surfaces of said drum means for movement of the box with said drum means as secured thereto and extending therebetween by said belt means, and means operatively associated with said frame for driving at least one of said belt means and drum means to carry the boxes through an arc with said drum means whereby the boxes are supported solely by their side flops and the contents of the boxes will fall therefrom by gravity.

7. In apparatus for automatically emptying cardboard boxes or the like, a frame, an input conveyor, chute means having top and bottom walls and a discharge end, means adjustably positioning the discharge end of said conveyor on said frame for vertical movement with relation to said top and bottom Walls, the boxes being fed to said frame having open side flaps and an opened end flap thereon, a pair of drum means journalled on said frame for contacting the side flaps of a box when opened and positioned at the discharge end of said chute means, a pair of endiess belt means journalled on said frame to engage said drum means over portions of the periphery thereof and to force the side flaps of a box processed in the apparatus against the peripheries of said drum means for movement of a box with said drum means while secured thereto to extend therebetween by said belt means, a drive motor, endless chain means connecting said drive motor to said input conveyor and said drum means for drive thereof, and automatically adjustable take-up means engaging said chain means to compensate for variation in position of said input conveyor without change in action of said chain means.

8. In apparatus for opening andremptying cardboard boxes or the like, a frame, means for opening the side and one end flap of the boxes, chute means associated with said frame and the opening means for receiving and inverting the at least partly opened boxes, said chute means having members thereon to maintain the side flaps of a box opened, open centered means operatively connecting to said chute means at both sides thereof for engaging the side flaps of partly opened boxes and moving them forwardly and upwardly for discharge of the 0011- 5 are moved from said chute means to insure discharge of the contents of the boxes, said arm means being driven and being of inverted U-shape to extend down and around the boxes from the upper surfaces thereof but terminating above the side flaps of the boxes.

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